Connector for integrated lighting and power for cabinetry

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/625,718 filed Jan. 7, 2022, which claims priority to International Application No. PCT/US2020/041434 filed Jul. 9, 2020 and titled “Integrated Lighting and Power for Cabinetry”, and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/872,236 filed Jul. 9, 2019 and having the same title. The entire contents of these prior filed applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

This disclosure is generally related to power delivery and lighting for storage cabinets, and more particularly to an integrated power and lighting system and solution for cabinetry.

It is becoming common to incorporate lighting and lighting features into storage cabinets and cabinet systems when such cabinet systems are installed. For example, new kitchen designs often incorporate multiple zone cabinet lighting solutions among the cabinetry. Such cabinet systems can include wall cabinets with an under-cabinet zoned lighting. This type of lighting can be provided for utility to illuminate the countertop and appliance work surfaces beneath the wall cabinets. Such cabinet systems can also include interior cabinet and drawer lighting. Interior lighting can provide utility to illuminate drawers and solid door cabinets when opened. This type of lighting can aid users in seeing the contents of such spaces. Zoned lighting can also be provided for aesthetics to illuminate wall and other cabinets with glass panels in the cabinet doors. This type of lighting can be employed to more softly illuminate the cabinet interiors and to highlight visible objects stored within such glass front cabinets. Such cabinet systems can also include upper soffit zoned lighting for illuminating areas above the tops of the wall cabinets. This type of lighting can be provided for soft or adjustable general illumination for a space that contains the cabinets.

The components of these lighting features are typically installed on site, once the cabinets are delivered, and during and/or after the cabinets are installed at the site. No matter the cabinet system or installation, the method of installing such lighting features or solutions is tedious, time consuming, and often complicated. This generally requires physical modification of the cabinets, such as drilling holes and the like. Further, the wiring that is required to accommodate cabinet lighting features typically includes a separate power connection to a power source for each different zone of the lighting arrangement. Power for each lighting zone must be connected both to the dedicated site power source and to the illumination elements or lights of each zone, such as the different lighting strips. A separate power cord is thus typically run from the lights in each zone to the power source. Light emitting diode (LED) lights, and particularly LED lighting strips, are commonly used for lighting features and solutions for cabinet systems. Each zone or application noted above might require a different type of light source (bright task light, soft accent light, warm white or cool white light, colored light, etc.) to provide the specific desired light characteristics of a particular zone or application.

It is common to arrange a lighting system such that each zone is separately controlled for independent dimming and/or independent ON/OFF control. To achieve this, power is connected to the lighting features by plugging in or hard wiring a separate power adapter for each zone to the on-site power source, such as a 120V AC system. Each power adapter is then connected to the corresponding lighting feature or lights for that specific zone. In some cases, one or more of the zoned lighting features are intended to be a switched system and may be capable of being switched independent of any other zone. A switched wall socket may be provided at the site and each respective power adapter may be plugged into a switched socket. In other cases, one or more wall switches to operate the lights may be installed on site. The wall switches are then hard wired to the electrical power source at the site and hard wired either to the respective power adapter for the lights or directly to the wiring for the lights for each switched zone. The different types of lighting features or zones noted above are each connected to a separate electrical power source, switch, or the like for independent control of each type of lighting. This can further complicate the on-site installation of the lighting systems and can drive up cost.

During a conventional installation of an illuminated cabinet system, the installer must prepare the lights for each cabinet, which may include cutting each LED strip to the appropriate length. The installer must also attach or install each light strip or element in the desired location for each cabinet, whether on top, within, or under each cabinet. The installer must also drill holes in the cabinets where wiring will run between adjacent cabinets to connect lights of one particular feature on each cabinet to one another. The installer must also cut, trim, and run or route all of the wiring for each light strip or feature and then must connect all the wiring to the power source and to the appropriate light strips or features. If the installer has two or three types or zones of lighting features, such as the under cabinet, interior cabinet, or above cabinet lighting, to install on multiple cabinets, the installer must measure for and drill holes for each feature, install the lights for each feature, prepare, run, and connect all of the wiring for each feature, and separately connect the power to each feature.

In one example, according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a cabinet system with integrated lighting and power includes a cabinet defining a first illumination zone, a first connector having at least a first port and a second port, and a first light strip. The first light strip has an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, a plurality of illumination elements spaced apart along the substrate, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The multiple traces include a voltage trace, a first trace connected to the plurality of illumination elements, and a second trace not connected to the plurality of illumination elements. The first end is received in the first port of the first connector. The cabinet system also has a driver coupled to a power source. The driver has a lead connected to the second port on the first connector. The illumination elements of the first light strip are selectively controlled by controlling power to the voltage trace and the first trace to illuminate the illumination zone.

In one example, the elongate substrate of the first light strip can be a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate that is substantially rigid.

In one example, the one or more strips can include a power pass strip having an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The multiple traces can include a voltage trace, a first trace, and a second trace. The power pass strip can be configured to pass power along the length of the power pass strip.

In one example, the cabinet system can include a plurality of the connectors.

In one example, the cabinet system can include a plurality of the connectors and each connector can include at least a first port, a second port, and a third port.

In one example, the cabinet system can include a plurality of the connectors, which can include at least two connector types. One connector type can be a first type of corner connector for selective upper/top left side use and lower/bottom right side use on a cabinet. The other connector type can be a second type of corner connector for selective upper/top right side use and lower/bottom left side use on a cabinet.

In one example, the two connector types can be mirror images of one another.

In one example, the connector can also include a third port similar to the first port and configured to receiving a first or second end of one of the one or more strips.

In one example, the connector can include a third port and each of the first, second, and third ports can be oriented facing a different direction relative to the other of the first, second, and third ports.

In one example, the connector can include a third port and each of the first, second, and third ports can be oriented in a different direction relative to a different axis and about 90 degrees relative to the other of the first, second, and third ports.

In one example, the cabinet system can include a second illumination zone, a second connector having a first port and a second port, and the one or more strips can include a second light strip. The second light strip can have an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, a plurality of illumination elements spaced apart along the substrate, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The multiple traces can include a voltage trace, a first trace not connected to the plurality of illumination elements, and a second trace connected to the plurality of illumination elements. The first end can be received in the first port of the second connector and the illumination elements of the second light strip can be selectively controlled by controlling power to the voltage trace and the second trace to illuminate the second illumination zone.

In one example, power from the power source can be distributed from the first connector along the first light strip to a second connector and to a second light strip.

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a connector for a cabinet system includes: a body; a first port having a depth into the body, N number of electrical contacts therein, and an opening at a surface of the body; a second port having a depth into the body, N number of electrical contacts therein, and an opening at a surface of the body; and a third port having a depth into the body, N number of electrical contacts therein, and an opening at a surface of the body. Each of the first, second, and third ports is oriented facing a different direction relative to the other of the first, second, and third ports. The N number of electrical contacts is disposed at or very near the opening for each of the first, second, and third ports.

In one example, each of the first, second, and third ports can be oriented relative to a different axis of the body and about 90 degrees relative to the other of the first, second, and third ports.

In one example, the connector can include a second connector that can be a substantial mirror image of the connector.

In one example, an integrated lighting and power system for cabinetry can include a driver configured to connect to a power source and having a lead and a male connector at a free end of the lead, a controller in communication with the driver, one or more first light strips; and one or more second light strips. Each of the first light strips has an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, a plurality of illumination elements spaced apart along the substrate, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The multiple traces include a voltage trace, a first trace connected to the plurality of illumination elements, and a second trace not connected to the plurality of illumination elements. Each of the second light strips has an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, a plurality of illumination elements spaced apart along the substrate, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The multiple traces include a voltage trace, a first trace not connected to the plurality of illumination elements, and a second trace connected to the plurality of illumination elements. The system also has a plurality of connectors configured to mount to cabinetry. Each of the connectors has a body and at least a first port and a second port. The first port of each of the plurality of connectors is configured to receive therein the first end or the second end of any light strip of the one or more first and second light strips. The second port of any one of the plurality of connectors is configured to receive therein the male connector of the driver. The controller is configured to independently control illumination of any of the first and second lights strips connected to any of the plurality of connectors by controlling power to the voltage trace and selectively to the corresponding first and second traces and thus to the respective illumination elements.

In one example, the system can include one or more jumpers with a male connector at each end. The one or more jumpers can be configured to connect to the first or third port of any of the one or more connectors.

In one example, the system can include one or more power pass strips. Each power pass strip can have an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The multiple traces can include a voltage trace, a first trace, and a second trace. The power pass strip can be configured to pass power along the length of the power pass strip between any two of the plurality of connectors.

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a method of controlling multiple different illumination zones of a cabinet installation includes utilizing the cabinet system, the connectors, and the integrated lighting and power system of any one or more of the aforementioned examples, and/or any one or more of the fabrication, installation, and/or operation and control steps as disclosed and described herein.

As used herein, the term “zone” or “zoned lighting” generally refers to a group of lights that are powered simultaneously by the same power channel of a lighting system. In most instances, that meaning also applies to a group of lights that are controlled (ON, OFF, DIM) together as a single unit. Exceptions are noted herein with regard to interior illumination within a solid door or solid panel cabinet and within a drawer. In this example, the lights for these types of “zones” are or may be powered by the same power channel of the lighting system. However, separate controls or an added layer of control, such as an OPEN/CLOSE or ON/OFF switch, may be applied to each solid door cabinet and/or each drawer. For these “zones”, the lights for each cabinet and drawer may remain powered, but OFF, and may be turned ON independently of one another as a particular drawer or cabinet door is opened. Thus, it is understood herein that there may be a distinction for these types of “zones” because, unlike under-cabinet (task), over-cabinet (soffit), toe kick (base or floor level), or interior glass door cabinet lighting, the solid door cabinet and drawer lighting typically have independent control features. When the lights of most zones are turned on, off, or dimmed, all the lights of that group will behave the same. In contrast, when one opens a drawer and the light comes on, the similarly powered lighting of this “zone” in other drawers or in solid door cabinets need not behave the same and can remain turned off until another particular drawer or door is opened. However, for ease of description herein, these types of controlled lighting are also identified as a “lighting zone,” though it may behave differently.

As described in further detail below, the disclosed integrated lighting and power solution includes one or more a multi-channel strips that either pass power along the system, create light while providing multiple zone lighting capability, or both. The disclosed integrated lighting and power solution is capable of independent control of each separate zone along the various multi-channel strips (i.e., strips). The disclosed integrated lighting and power solution includes strips that may be formed having a relatively stiff structural form, so they remain straight or linear prior to and during use. Alternatively, the disclosed strips may have a substrate with some degree of flexibility. The disclosed strips can be blank or unchipped strips (with no lights, i.e., power strips) to simply pass power along the system. Alternatively, the disclosed strips can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) or chips configured to provide illumination (i.e., LED strips or light strips). The strips can be multi-channel printed circuit board (PCB) strips, i.e., PCB light strips or PCB power strips. The light strips can include single channel (monochrome) LEDs or chips or can include multi-color chips. The light strips can thus each have a different type of light source and can be connected in series, where each segment provides a different lighting characteristic for a corresponding zone of a cabinet system. Alternatively, each light strip can have multi-color and multi-channel capability, where illumination is determined by the PCB structure of the strip and by which channel is powered. The disclosed lighting and power solution also may employ unique three-way connectors that can connect adjacent strips of the system and that can be connected to a power source. The disclosed integrated lighting and power solution solves or improves upon one or more of the above-known and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior known cabinet lighting and power systems.

Turning now to the drawings,shows one example of a cabinet system or installation.depicts an image of kitchen cabinets or cabinetrywith lighting employed. The cabinet systemdepicted inincludes examples of countertop lightingemanating from under a plurality of wall cabinets. The cabinet systemalso includes interior lightingemanating from within the interior of glass door cabinets. The cabinet systemfurther includes accessory lightingemanating from beneath shorter height cabinetsand/or between spaced apart taller cabinets of the wall cabinets. The cabinet systemalso includes soffit lightingemanating from above the wall cabinets. The cabinet systemalso include interior lightingA,B within the interior of closed drawers and cabinets with solid front doors or panels, respectively. This interior lightingA andB may provide illumination within the drawers and/or cabinets when opened.

The cabinet systemdepicted inis only one of innumerable different possible examples of a kitchen cabinet installation or system that is suitable for the disclosed integrated lighting and power solution. Other cabinet systems and installations, such as for bathrooms, work rooms, bedrooms, closets, and the like, as well as those specific to kitchens, may also benefit from employing the disclosed integrated lighting and power solution and system. The cabinet system and installation image ofis provided only to illustrate how the disclosed solution and system may be employed to improve upon or enhance the cabinetry and the installation process for such cabinetry. The cabinet systemin this example also shows base cabinetsbelow countertops, which are beneath the wall cabinets. Virtually any cabinet arrangement and installation, and installation method, could be enhanced using the disclosed integrated lighting and power solution. Regarding the wall cabinets, some may be joined together side to side at the same height. Others may be joined together side to side at different heights (known as castling), though not shown herein. Some cabinets may have different depths and some cabinets may have shorter heights, such as the shorter cabinetsin this example, than adjacent cabinets. Coastlining (i.e., the depth and height contours of the cabinets) variation in both the horizontal and vertical directions and arrangements is common.

As depicted in, the cabinet systemmay have a plurality of different lighting zones accommodated by different power channels (defined further below). In the illustrated example, the cabinet systemincludes four (4) different zones with lighting and power requirements. For ease of description, a first zone, Zone 1, may include the countertop or under-cabinet lightingand the accessory lighting. A second zone, Zone 2, may include the interior cabinet lightingfor glass door cabinets. A third zone, Zone 3, may include the above-cabinet or soffit lighting. A fourth zone, Zone 4, may include the interior drawer and cabinet lightingA andB for the drawers and solid door cabinets. The Zones 1-4 in this example define four separate powered applications for cabinet lighting to be illuminated independently according to the teachings of the present disclosure. As noted below, a cabinet system may include two (2) zones, three (3) zones, or more than four (4) separately controllable lighting zones or powered applications. The integrated lighting and power system may thus provide the requisite number of power channels to accommodate the number of different zones. The phrases multi-zone and multi-channel, as used herein, are intended to refer to any of these types of systems that have at least two different illumination zones or channels, where the zones or channels are separately controllable and may or may not have different illumination requirements.

Referring to, the disclosed integrated lighting and power solution is embodied in an integrated lighting and power system, i.e., a system. The systemmay include a plurality of connectors, which may include two or more different connector types, such as corner connectors. In one example, the connectors may include one or more first connectorsand one or more second connectors. In the disclosed example, the first connectorsmay be a mirror image of the second connectors. As described in further detail below, the connectorsandcan be configured and arranged to receive and/or connect power and strips in multiple different directions to achieve virtually any desired system configuration and to accommodate virtually any cabinet installation.

The systemmay also include one or more power supplies, one or more cabinet links or jumpers, one or more light strips, and one or more power strips. Each power supplymay be an LED driver or controller and may include a power cablewith a standard household 120V alternating current (AC) plugand connected to a power converter and/or driverthat converts AC to direct current (DC), which is suitable for powering the strips. The drivermay also include a processor and a memory designed and programmed to selectively control the components of the integrated lighting and power system. Each power supply or controllermay also include a leadconnected to the power converter and/or driverand terminating at a male connectorconfigured to attach to the connectors,.

Each link or jumpermay include one of the male connectorsat each end. The male connectorsmay be connected to one another by a multi-channel wire or wire set. Each power stripmay include a substrate that has an elongate bodythat carries a plurality of lengthwise traces or tracksdefining the channels provided on the power strip. Each light stripalso includes a substrate with an elongate bodythat carries a plurality of lengthwise traces or tracksand a plurality of illumination elements. Further details of the power stripsand light stripsare described below.

The systemcan include additional components or elements, as desired. The various details of the components of the systemcan also vary from the examples shown and described herein. Details of the connectorsand, the jumpers, the power supplies, the power strips, and the light stripsmay also vary from the examples shown and described herein.

show a cabinetwith one example of an integrated lighting and power system installed on the cabinet.shows a front view of the cabinet, whereby the components of the system are mounted behind front trim partsof the cabinet and are thus not visible.shows a view from the front of the cabinet, but with the front trim partsof the cabinet removed to reveal components of the integrated lighting and power system. As depicted, the integrated lighting and power system includes a plurality of PCB light stripsthat are mounted to the cabinet. In this example, the PCB light strips include a top horizontal PCB light strip(viewed from the back in) extending across and above a top panelon the outside of the cabinetand behind the front trim parts. See also,. The top PCB light stripcan be a part of an overhead cabinetor soffit lighting zone of the system. Similarly, the PCB light strips include a bottom horizontal PCB light stripextending across and under a bottom paneland outside of the cabinetand behind the front trim parts. The bottom PCB light stripcan be a part of an under-cabinet or task lighting zone, i.e., a different zone, of the system. The PCB light strips also include two interior PCB light stripsextending vertically along opposed side panelson the interior of the cabinetand behind the front trim parts. See also,. The vertical interior PCB light stripscan be a part of an interior cabinet light zone, i.e., another different zone, of the system.

The integrated lighting and power system on the cabinetalso incorporates a plurality of the connectors,for connecting the various PCB light stripsof the system to one another and for connecting power to the system. As discussed further below, the connectors,can be mounted to the cabineton the outside of the cabinet behind the front trim parts. In this example, a connectoris mounted on the left-hand upper corner of the cabinetand a connectoris mounted on the right-hand upper corner of the cabinet on top of the top panelof the cabinet and behind the front trim piece parts. See also,. A connectoris also mounted on the left-hand lower corner of the cabinetand a connectoris mounted on the right-hand lower corner of the cabinet underneath the bottom paneland behind the front trim piece parts. Small holes or slots H can be formed through the top panelnear the front corners and through the bottom panel near the lower corners to permit the vertical PCB light stripsto extend between and be connected to the connectors,, as also described further below. See also,.

As shown in, the system on the cabinetalso includes a power supply, i.e., and LED driver or controller(not shown in, or), with a leadthat is directed toward one of the connectors, the connectoron the top left-hand side of the cabinet. The male connectorof the leadis connected to the connectorto provide power to, and to control operation of, at least the part of the system installed on the cabinet. The LED driver or controllercan be connected to any one of the connectorsoron the cabinetto provide power to at least that part of the system, and to any one of the ports or receptacles on a given connector, in this example and as discussed further below. As also discussed below, the component arrangement of the system can be varied from this example and can be varied from cabinet to cabinet within a given integrated lighting and power system. Variations can be made, depending on the particular lighting system design and needs.

In this example, the male power connectorand the leadmay be connectable to or extend from a controller and a LED driver, as noted above, which can convert AC power to DC to provide power for the controller. The LED driver and controllercan be connected to a power source at an installation site by the cableand plug. The LED driver and controllermay instead be configured to be hard wired directly to the primary AC source of power at the site but is more likely to have a connectorized attachment, i.e., the plug, to the power source, as well as to the controller. The power leadmay be configured having a multi-prong plug (Nnumber of channels) in the form of the male connectorthat can be plugged into a power socket or port on a connectoror, either at the installation site or at the cabinet manufacturing site. The LED drivermay have or be connectable to a separate controller (not shown) or may instead have a dedicated controller provided as a part of the power supply/LED driver for AC to DC conversion.

Though not shown in the specific example of, one or more of the PCB strips can be a blank power strip(i.e., a power pass strip) configured simply to pass power along the system. One or more of the PCB strips can also be light stripsconfigured to illuminate the cabinet arrangement, which may include the multiple lighting zones, as noted above. Further details and options regarding the PCB strips are provided below.

show the connectorsandof this example in greater detail. In the disclosed example, the connectors,are provided as corner connectors in only two types. A first type, as depicted in, is a corner connectorconfigured for upper left-hand (left top or LT) and lower-right hand (right bottom or RB) installation. The first type of corner connector(see the RB-LT depiction in) can be mounted to the top panelon the left side of a cabinetor can be inverted and mounted to the bottom panelon the right side of the cabinet. The second type, as depicted in, is a corner connectorconfigured for lower left-hand (left-bottom or LB) and upper right-hand (right top or RT) installation. The second type of corner connector(see the LB-RT depiction in) can be mounted to the top panelon the right side of the cabinet or can be inverted and mounted to the bottom panelon the left side.

Referring to, each corner connectorandin this example has a bodyformed to define three receptacles, i.e., three sockets or ports, facing in three different directions. A first socket or portof each connector,faces in a direction laterally across the cabinetwhen installed. A second socket or portof each connector,faces in a rearward direction toward the back of the cabinetwhen installed. A third socket or portof each connector,faces in a downward direction (if on top of the cabinet top panel) or an upward direction (if under the cabinet bottom panel). The third portsalign with the aforementioned holes or slots H formed in the top or bottom panel when installed on the cabinet. In this example, a portion of the bodyextends into and through the corresponding hole H exposing the third portwithin the interior of the cabinet(see). In this way, the bodiesof the connectors,can reside on the outside of the cabinet. This is so the connectors,do not interfere with any surface or space within the cabinet during use, while still allowing connection to the interior vertical PCB stripsoralong the side panels.

In the disclosed example, the first and third ports,are configured to receive an end of a PCB strip, as discussed further below. The second portcan be configured to receive a male power connectorof a leadthat is connected to the controller, the LED driver, a power converter, and a power source. In the disclosed examples, the bodyof each corner connector,is configured to locate or orient the three ports,,to face in three different orthogonal directions, such as on an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. In this way, one of the portscan face toward a cabinet surface, one of the portscan face in one direction parallel to a cabinet surface, and one of the portscan face in a different direction and parallel to the cabinet surface. However, the ports need not each be orthogonal to one another. Fore example, at least the second port, i.e., the power port can be oriented in a different non-orthogonal direction relative to the other two PCB strip ports,.

The corner connectors,in this example each also can have at least one fastener opening or holepositioned to receive a screw or other such fastener (not shown). Thus, screws or fasteners can be used to secure the corner connectors,to the cabinet. The shape and configuration of the corner connectors or three-way connectors can vary from the examples shown and described. The body can be a molded plastic material or other suitable material. Each socket or port can include appropriate contacts, as shown in, to make the necessary electrical connections with the strips,and male connectorsfor the integrated light and power system described herein and further below.

Referring to, and as mentioned above, the configuration of the plurality of strips,can also vary. The blank or power pass stripscan include the bodymade from PCB substrate material with continuous, lengthwise extending, straight or linear conductors or traces, such as copper traces, on the PCB substrate. The power pass stripscan be cut anywhere along their length to a specific desired length because the PCB power pass strip is unpopulated with LEDs and/or resisters. In one example the power pass stripscan include five (5) conductors or traces, with one conductor for providing a voltage (V+) and the other four (4) conductors provided to pass signal for up to four zones. The number of conductors, and thus the number of zones can vary and does not need to be limited to four (4) zones. The traces or conductorscan be provided on either side of the PCB power pass strips. Likewise, the corresponding positioning of the contactsin the ports,,of the connectors,can be provided to accommodate insertion of the power stripswith the tracesfacing in a desired direction. With the contactsfacing as shown in, the traces or conductorswould be exposed or visible when installed. In another example, the contacts within the connectors may be oriented such that the traces or conductorsare positioned to face a surface of the cabinet so as not to be exposed when installed.

The plurality of strips,can also include one or more different types of light strips, depending on the needs of a particular system design. In one example, the light stripscan include the body, also made from relatively rigid PCB substrate material. The light stripsalso include a plurality of electrical components or light emitters, i.e., LEDs or diodes, which are spaced apart along the length of the PCB substrate. The PCB substrate material can further include continuous, lengthwise extending, straight or linear conductors or traces, such as copper traces, on the PCB substrate. The light stripscan include the same number of conductors or tracesas the power pass strips, which in this example is five (5) conductors or traces. Again, one conductor or tracemay be for providing a voltage (V+) and the other four (4) conductors or traces may be for passing a signal for up to four zones along the strip. One of the conductors or traces, i.e., one channel of the light strip, may be connected to the LEDs or diodesalong the strip. The LEDson the light stripare illuminated when that channel or traceis active, i.e., when power is passed or turned on along that specific channel.

In the disclosed example, the PCB strips,have four channels or zone traces, i.e., N1 to N4, and one voltage trace V+. In other examples, fewer or more such traces can be provided. For example, PCB strips and corner connectors could be designed to accommodate 5 or 6 zones, if desired. The number of conductors or traces, and thus the number of zones defined by the light stripscan also vary and does not need to be limited to the four (4) zones of this example.

The traces or conductorscan also be provided on either side of the PCB light stripsand thus can be on the same side as the LEDSor on the opposite side of the PCB substrate of the light strips. Likewise, the corresponding positioning of the contactsin the ports,,of the connectors,can be provided to accommodate insertion of the light stripswith the tracesfacing in a desired direction. With the contactsfacing as shown in, the traces or conductorswould be exposed or visible when installed and would be on the same side as the LEDson the PCB substrates. In another example, the contacts within the connectors may be oriented such that the traces or conductorsare positioned to face a surface of the cabinet so as not to be exposed when installed.

In one example, the four (4) conductors or tracescan be for controlling multiple different types of light strips, such as four (4) types of light strip used within an integrated lighting and power system. One type of light stripmay be used for each of the four lighting or illumination zones of the cabinet installationdescribed above. For example, undercabinet PCB strips(see the bottom horizontal strip exposed in) may carry LEDs that are connected to the V+ conductor or traceand a first one of the four additional conductors or traces designated for Zone 1 in. The PCB light stripsfor Zone 1 will pass V+ along the V+ conductor, as well as all four zones all the way from one corner connector,to the other, but will only tap the V+ and the Zone 1 conductors or tracesto illuminate the LEDsof Zone 1.

The vertical PCB light strips(see) on the inside of a glass door cabinetor opaque door cabinet will also pass power plus all four zones along the five (5) traces. However, the LEDson these types of PCB light stripwill be connected or tapped to the V+ conductor and only the conductors or tracesfor Zone 2 in. Further, the over cabinet PCB light strips(see, and) may be a third type of light strip and will have LEDson the PCB light strips connected or tapped to the V+ conductor or traceand only to the Zone 3 traces. In one alternative, a fourth type of PCB light stripscan similarly have LEDsconnected or tapped to the V+ conductorand only to the Zone 4 conductors or traces on the strips. The fourth type of PCB light strips (not shown) can be used inside the cabinet arrangement ofwithin Zone 4 to illuminate solid door cabinets and drawers.

In another alternative, the fourth type of PCB strips could be configured to be tapped to power external devices or to support additional design options. For example, a system can have Zone 2 PCB light stripsto illuminate glass door cabinets where it is desirable for the lights to be illuminated even when the glass doors are closed. A system can have Zone 4 PCB light stripswithin solid wood cabinet doors, where it may be desirable to always want the lights to turn on when the door is opened and to turn off when the door is closed. Thus, these PCB light strips would need a separate channel or tracesfor Zone 4 inThese different types of PCB light strips thus prevent a dimmed or off position in Zone 2 from keeping the solid door cabinet utility lights from functioning properly.